Downham St Leonard Home Page

No one knows how long there has been a church at Downham.   During the rebuilding of 1910 traces of what were believed to be early Norman or Anglo- Saxon foundations were unearthed.   The presence, within the parish,  of a field called Kirkacre - a pure saxon word - adds credence to an estimate of 1,000 years.

 The church, with fiftenth century tower and main body of 1910, stands at the top of the steep main street of the village in a perfect and harmonious grouping with Downham Hall, home of the Asshetons since several months before the accession of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558.   The present Lord Clitheroe is Patron of the parish church. 

The Parish Church of Downham St. Leonard is in a joint benefice with Christchurch, Chatburn, the neighbouring parish.   These two parish churches share a Priest-in-Charge with St. Paul's Church, Low Moor Clitheroe;  there has been no vicar exclusively for Downham since 1988.

Visitors

We are an open church; the door is unlocked from morning to dusk every day.   Visitors are welcome to look round, guidbooks are available (see also history link, to the left).

Visitors are warmly welcome to attend all our services
(for details see services, and latest newsletter links to the left).

Jubilee Concert

with the

Octameron

singers

St Leonards Church
Downham

on

Saturday May 26th
at 7.30

£7.00 inc. refreshments

Tickets from Downham Post Office or ring Eileen on 01200   426981